WSOP 2009 Format

Count me as a strong opponent to how this year’s WSOP played out.

I get it.  I really do.  This was a marketing, money making manuever to increase exposure and advertising dollars.  I can’t fault the executives for pushing this end, but that doesn’t mean I liked how it went down.

The WSOP is the ultimate poker endurance challenge, the marathon of all marathons, and now when you make it to the terrific ten, there’s a four month wait before you play out the field?  I think this goes to far away from the game.  The game is supposed to retain its majesty, its rich tradition – even in the face of more potential advertising dollars.  I mean every player at the table has a patch for some poker network on their lapelle or hat, aren’t we to the brim in how much advertising is enough adverting?  (I know that money doesn’t go to the tv cast, but just making a point.)

This move to a partitioned main event also changes the course of tournament.  Players are no longer weary and they have lost whatever type of rythym they were cascading into the final table with.  They also are taken out of the moment.  You have all the time you need to stop and gather a strategy.  Although ESPN doesn’t capture but a small fraction of the actual play, I’ve got to believe some of the amateurs came in with a reinforced since of folding into more money rather than playing actual poker.

I hope they change the format back, but I don’t think thats going to happen.